Next week, the House is expected to consider this legislation which would expand the jurisdiction of the federal courts over class action cases. This misguided legislation claims to address problems in current law but it only imposes additional burdens on the already over-tasked federal courts and needlessly changes current uniform rules of federal civil procedure.

Democrats are expected to offer a substitute to address some of the concerns over class action practices without interfering in the ability of classes of plaintiffs looking for remedies. The Democratic Class Action Improvement Act of 2003 would address settlement abuses, protections against losses, and discretion of appeals.

Attached is information from the Office of the Democratic Whip, Congressman Max Sandlin and Judiciary Committee Ranking Democrat John Conyers to assist you in doing press on H.R. 1115: